Manchester United are closing in on a £7.5 million deal for Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger.

The Sunday People reports that Louis van Gaal is confident he can lure his former player away from the Allianz Arena, and transfer negotiator Ed Woodward has been told to make it happen.

Schweinsteiger - 31 in August - only has a year left on his deal with German champions Bayern.

And Germany legend Lothar Matthaus believes a move to Old Trafford will do him good: "Schweinsteiger needs a coach who will play him according to his strengths, and Van Gaal will do that."

United's chances of signing another Bayern star - Jerome Boateng - could be wrecked... by his girlfriend.

United are being strongly linked in Germany with Bayern Munich's World Cup-winning defender.

But, reveals The Star on Sunday, Sherin Senler, mother of Boateng's twin children, was understood to be miserable in Manchester four years ago when he was at City.

Sherin was pregnant at the time and was delighted to return to Germany when Bayern agreed a £10 million deal.

Boateng himself said he was unhappy playing at right-back and wanted to be used as a central defender.

However, The Star adds that that’s where United see him, although he would have dual-purpose value to Van Gaal through his ability to also play at full-back.

Boateng is being touted as an alternative target to Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummel and Valencia's Nicolas Otamendi and is valued at £20 million.

Meanwhile, United target Mario Mandzukic has dealt a blow to Van Gaal by agreeing a deal with Juventus, reveals The Sun of Sunday.

Van Gaal had made the Atletico Madrid striker his No 1 target to replace Radamel Falcao at Old Trafford.

The Mail on Sunday reports that David de Gea has told his United team-mates that he wants to quit the club for Real Madrid.

The goalkeeper's future at Old Trafford is uncertain as Madrid crank up their interest. And the Spain international has now told members of the United squad that it is his desire to return to Madrid ahead of next season.

The Mail claims Real will make a first offer of around £13 million for the 24-year-old. That will not be enough for the Spanish giants to prize De Gea away from Old Trafford this summer.

However, Real are confident they will land him knowing full well the keeper has his heart set on a return back to the Spanish capital.

Apparently, Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris would be a contender to replace the custodian, although Spurs would demand at least £35 million for the France international